Please join us for a hike around both sides of our valley. Following our hike, please join us for a holiday celebration social at our home.

We have two hikes planned. We did pre-hikes on the 6th and 7th in 6 inches of snow. The trees were beautiful, with snow caught on all the branches. But most of the snow will be gone soon, and I can’t predict the weather for Sunday.  Expect wet conditions so waterproof boots and walking sticks will be helpful, although not required.

Linda will be leading the Tourist/Naturalists across the valley with a shallow hill up to the hardwoods.  This trail will include pine and spruce forests hand planted in the 1930’s and 1950-1960s, plus maple, oak and beach forest last harvested 10 years ago.  Between the forests a several open fields for wild flowers.

Meanwhile, Mark will lead the Climbers up trails to the top of our hill, exploring the various trees and likely a bit of family history on the way. We will do a loop through the forest, back down to the creek, and our north field with a view to the south.

Following the hike, please join us for a dish to pass holiday social. We will have a ham to share.  Please bring a dish to pass and your preferred beverage or contribute $5 to the social fund. And stay a bit for seasonal music.

Directions:

Please click on Directions above for complete directions to the hike. When you arrive, you may park in the driveway, between the garage and barn or on the road. Remember that it will be dark after the social, so you may want to turn you car around while parking to simplify your escape later.

If you use your GPS, you will want to avoid dirt roads that are not plowed. My recommendation is to set your GPS to Tabors Corners Rd, Wayland, NY. Once you get onto Tabors Corners Rd, you can switch to our address. If you come from the south, Schribner Rd will be the 2nd left, 2 miles north of NY-21.  If you come from the north, Schribner Rd will be a right turn about 4.8 miles south of Wheaton Rd at Tabors Corners.

Please be aware if your GPS directs you to Strutt St, you will be directed to either Quanz Rd or to Schribner Rd from Strutt St.  These are seasonal dirt roads which are not plowed in the winter.  Do not turn on Schribner Rd from Strutt St, because that part of our road is nearly impassable. Your best bet is to go north on Strutt St to where it ends at Wheaton Hill Rd, turn right to the next stop sign. Turn right on Wetmore Rd, over the hill to a right on Tabors Corners Rd. Continue for 3.7 miles to Schribner Rd on the right.  Our house is one mile up Schribner on the left. If you are stubborn and if the snow isn’t too deep, you may go south on Strutt St from Schribner and continue straight up the hill on Quanz Rd. Continue past Fox Rd and turn left on Giles Rd.  Take it easy, and you should make it if bigger trucks have made good tracks.  But, I suspect next winter you will follow the directions via Tabors Corners.

Please join us on Sunday for a hike through the eastern portion of Mendon Ponds Park.  The 2500 acres of this park are a National Natural Landmark due to its dramatic geological glacial formations. We will hike along Eskers, see several Kames and possibly notice a couple of Kettles, all glacial formations deposited as the last glacier over North America retreated across New York about 12000 years ago. The Mendon Ponds Glacial History Brochure is a must read before this hike!

The style of hike will depend on the weather. If there is snow, it will be a good time to try out snow shoes. During the winter some of the trails are groomed for cross county skiing, but the hills on the East Esker trail are steeper than I care for now – maybe if I was 30 years younger.  But snow shoes are definitely enjoyable. If there is no snow or if you don’t want to snow shoe, the trails will likely be fine for hiking.

We will meet at the Mendon Ponds East Parking Lot between Douglas Rd and the Hundred Acre Pond in the park. All hikers will walk up the parking entrance to Douglas Rd, and slightly south to the gate to the Water Tower road.

The Climbers will turn south on the East Esker trail (Green markers). They will follow the trail up and down the Esker to the Round Pond. When the trail reaches the east border of the park, we will take a short connector trail back to the green trail and head north past a few Kames up to the Water Tower and back to the cars. This hike is a little over 3 miles.

Meanwhile, the Tourists will head straight along the Water Tower on the Blue From there, we will go back down the road to the trail map where the North Meadow trail (Blue markers) head north. This trail will go from woods to open fields along the Canfield Road and then head south through emerging forest. The trail returns to the Water Tower road and we will return to the cars. This hike will be a bit less than 2 1/2 miles.

Following the hike, we will meet at the Cottage Hotel, 1390 Pittsford Mendon Rd Mendon, NY 14506 for more social time. http://www.cottagehotelmendon.com

Directions to Parking Lot:

From Springwater, Wayland, Hemlock and Lima: Head north on 15A through Hemlock and Lima. When 15A turns a little to the west, stay on 15A past Honeoye Falls 6 Rd and past Monroe St. Turn right on Sibley Rd. At the end of Sibley Rd, turn left onto Clover St. At the traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto Rush Mendon Rd (NY-251 E). In 1 mile, continue straight onto Mendon Center Rd. Stay on Mendon Center Rd for 0.9 miles and turn left onto Pond Rd. In another 0.9 miles, turn right at the T onto Douglas Rd. In a mile, take the second left and follow the road down to a large parking lot.  Park close to the south east corner, as we will hike back up the road to Douglas Rd.

From Naples, Honeoye and West Bloomfield: From the Middletown Tavern, follow CR 36 north to 20A in Honeoye. At the light, turn left on Rte 20A (W Main Street) up to CR 37. Turn right onto CR 37 (Richmond Center Rd). Continue for 9 miles through West Bloomfield. When NY-65 turns left, continue straight onto CR 35. Continue for 10 miles, crossing Rush Mendon Rd. Turn left onto Canfield Rd just before crossing the Thruway. You will cross Pittsford Mendon Rd to enter the park. Take the first left onto Douglas Rd.  Go past the exit from the parking lot (notice the Do Not Enter sign) and turn right and follow the road down to a large parking lot.  Park close to the south east corner, as we will hike back up the road to Douglas Rd.

From Henrietta: From the intersection of E Henrietta Rd and Calkins Rd, turn east on Calkins Rd. In 1.0 mile, turn right onto Pinnacle Rd. After crossing the Thruway, turn left onto Reeves Rd. In 0.4 miles, turn right onto Tobin Rd. At the end of Tobin Rd., turn left on NY-65 (Clover St) and then turn right onto Canfield Rd to enter the park. In 1.1 miles, turn right onto Douglas Rd. Go past the exit from the parking lot (notice the Do Not Enter sign) and turn right and follow the road down to a large parking lot.  Park close to the south east corner, as we will hike back up the road to Douglas Rd.

From Penn Yan and Canandaigua: From Penn Yan, head north to Canandaigua. Turn west on 5 & 20 past E Bloomfield. Turn right onto NY 64. Stay on 64 for 11 miles. Turn left on Canfield Rd, the first road after crossing the Thruway. Turn left to jog over the Thruway again, and then turn right back onto Canfield Rd. You will cross Pittsford Mendon Rd to enter the park. Take the first left onto Douglas Rd. Go past the exit from the parking lot (notice the Do Not Enter sign) and turn right and follow the road down to a large parking lot.  Park close to the south east corner, as we will hike back up the road to Douglas Rd.

Directions to Social: Exit the parking lot and turn left on Douglas Rd. Take the next right onto Canfield Rd. At Pittsford Mendon Rd you will do a little jog to continue on Canfield because the entrance to the park is one way. At the T turn right onto W Bloomfield Rd. At the stop sign in 2.5 miles, turn left onto Rush Mendon Rd. Go through the 4-way stop and the Cottage Hotel is the first building on the left.

Join us on Sunday December 28th for a hike around Fishers Park! Located in the hamlet of Fishers, this 93-acre park has a diversity of passive and active recreation opportunities. Visitors can see a multitude of wildlife from deer, squirrels, and other woodland creatures to waterfowl and trout that spawn in the spring. Trails meander through the park across wooded ridges, through wetland areas, and along the banks of Irondequoit Creek.

Everyone will meet at the parking area at 7938 Main St, Fishers (Victor), at 1:45 pm for a 2:00pm start. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

The Hike:

Naturalists will explore mostly the outer perimeter on the White and Red trails. Included will be nice wide trails, a vista at a high point with a beautiful view looking out over the western side of the park, a stroll along Irondequoit Creek, and trail maps every so often showing your present location. Hikers will then loop back to the parking lot.  The hike length is about 1.5 miles with an option to add (we will vote on it) some small inner trails to extend hiking time.

Climbers/Tourists will also head out on the White trail but will cover more of the Yellow trails with rolling hills, ending on the Red trail along Irondequoit Creek and then loop back to the parking lot. Hike length is about 3 miles.

The Social:

The social afterwards is at the Cottage Hotel in Mendon (http://cottagehotelmendon.com) at the 4 corners in Mendon at 1390 Pittsford Mendon Road.

Directions:

Directions from Springwater and Honeoye:  take County Road 37 north from Route 20A about 7 miles north to Route 5 and 20 in West Bloomfield.   Route 65 begins there.  About a half mile north Route 65 makes a sharp left turn.  Do not go left, go straight onto County Road 35, otherwise known as West Bloomfield Road.  Go about 6 miles up to Route 251 and turn right.  You will come to the traffic light at the 4 corners of Mendon.  Go straight ahead  to Mile Square Road.  There is no road sign at Mile Square Road so look for some bright lime green home made signs on either side of the road in about 1/2 mile.  Turn left onto Mile Square Road.  Main Street Fishers will be the third road on your right.  After you pass Old Dutch Road on the right look for a green house at 7937 Main Street.  The sign for the entrance to the Park is right after that house on the right.

Directions from Canandaigua and Farmington:  Take Route 332 north to Route 96. Go north on Route 96 through the village of Victor  all the way to a large intersection with a Valvoline, a Burger King, a car wash and a Chili’s Restaurant at the corners.  Rowley Street goes to the right but turn left onto County Road 42.  Go through the little hamlet of Fishers past the old Firehouse on the left and past Wangum Road on the left where the first entrance for Fishers Park is.  You want the second entrance to the park farther down the road on the left.

Directions from Rochester:  Take Route 490 East all the way to the Victor exit.  It will take you right onto Route 96 South.  At the first large intersection with Chili’s Restaurant on the right hand corner, turn right.  Drive through the little hamlet of Fishers and after the old fire house on the left you will see a sign for the first entrance to Fishers Park on Wangum Road.  Do not turn there.  Go a little farther until you see the second entrance to the park on your left.

Directions to the Cottage Hotel:

Turn left (west) out of the parking lot of Fishers Park and go all the way to the end of Main Street. Turn left onto Mile Square Road.   Turn right onto Route 251.   Drive to the 4 corners of Mendon to the light.   The Cottage Hotel is on the right.

The Hike: Start the New Year the way you mean to go on – come for an inspiring hike along Canadice Lake! This is an easy, 1.8-mile each way hike along the shore of the lake; the trail is level and well-maintained and the lake views are lovely. For most hikers it will be a walk along the lake for an hour or so, and then back the same way; more enthusiastic hikers can veer off on Rob’s Trail that leads over the ridge and down to Hemlock Lake – this is a moderate to hard trail with several steep uphill and downhill sections. We’ll take a roll call the day of the hike if anyone wants to walk Rob’s Trail. We’ll arrange for transport back for those who only want to walk one way. Dress appropriately for the weather, carry water and some energy food, and carry a walking pole if it helps. Leashed pets are welcome. If the trail is dry then cycling is also an option.

A First Day hike along Canadice Lake.

This is not a “routine” Sunday hike – it’s special because the hike is promoted by the NYS DEC, and is part of a larger program of First Day Hikes to encourage people to get out and experience the magnificent State of New York that they live in! The DEC, State Parks, and the Canal Corporation invite New Yorkers to kick off 2025 by participating in one of the many hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State.

In past years DEC has provided mementos of the hike; we don’t know if they will this year as yet.

Please note that the First Day hike this year is scheduled from 2:00pm-4:00pm, giving everyone a little more time to get over the night before. The Meet-Up Location All First Day hikers will meet at 1:45pm in the parking area off Purcell Hill Road, Town of Canadice, Ontario County. Google Maps (leaves this website) Click here for directions.  Please plan to arrive early enough to park and get dressed for the weather conditions.

The Social: There won’t be an organized social on this hike, however, note that the Birdhouse in Honoeye will open for business.